Would you move Saka to accommodate the Pepe/Cedric Partnership?
Last weekend’s impressive performance against high-flying, although admittedly injury plagued Leicester, on the back of the comeback against Benfica, has understandably raised anticipation levels. For me, at least, this is not just about the performances of the team but the performance of the squad. Arteta raised the collective eyebrow of the fanbase with his multiple […]
The day I talked to the Quinn – Ireland and Arsenal Hero
I loved the mindfulness that transpired from every answer I got from Louise.During the thirty minutes I got to spend with her, she walked me through her journey from Ireland to Sweden, the brief and unfortunate spell at Notts County Ladies, her experience at the Arsenal and the fresh start in Italy, last summer.Now in […]
We see things THEY’LL NEVER see! – Arsenal is in our Blood
THE RETURN TO GUNNERSTOWN OF DB’S SEASON DIARY….. So here we are, on the eve of a crucial European second leg tie against Benfica, hanging in the balance after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. (If you are of a certain age, those very words will send a shiver down your spine!) […]
“You make me laugh!”: Inside Mesut Özil’s Fractured Relationship with Emery
This piece is part of a larger work on Unai Emery’s Arsenal tenure, which will soon be released… A magician on the pitch, Özil was an insanely talented Arsenal player but often inconsistent. A World Cup winner, the attacking midfielder possessed a tendency to alternate between incredible performances to then being known for, “going missing […]
Pepe and Willian shine as Arteta tactically outsmarts Rodgers at the KP!
The Arsenal set up 1) In possession Utilising the familiar 4-2-3-1, Arsenal were building through the thirds in a 2-3-5 shape. Cedric would initially remain deep, with Tierney deployed as an outlet through the left channel, allowing Willian to occupy the half-spaces. The 2-3-5 became a 3-2-5 occasionally with Elneny dropping in between the two […]
A Coaches Coach: how Arteta’s coaching skills ran the Foxes ragged
A coaches coach POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES I wasn’t really ‘Wenger Out.’ I wasn’t ‘Wenger In’, either. I was more ‘Wenger frustrated.’ I spent the post 2010 period largely frustrated. Whether it was the fact that we always seemed 2-3 players short of competing or the more pertinent point, that it became clear that he […]
Zaha, Maguire and Partey: Inside Arsenal’s 2019 Transfer Window – Failed Targets and Lost Leaders
This piece is part of a larger work on Unai Emery – soon to be published in its entirety here on Gunners Town. Arsenal’s Champions League aspirations went up in flames. Torched by Wilfred Zaha, the dynamic forward brushed by Shkodran Mustafi with ease. As Zaha sped by, he scored his side’s second goal. On […]
Free speech is a right, not a right to hate
There are two statements that appeared on my feed recently that sum up a depressingly, growing number of our fan base at the moment. Anonymous (supposed Arsenal fan) on Twitter: ‘When you play well you get zero abuse. They deserve everything they get and more” Granit Xhaka: “I’m the guy on the pitch, not my […]
Europa League Final Fallout. A Glance Back at Arsenal’s Miserable European Finale
This piece is part of a larger work on the Unai Emery Era – Keep a watchful eye on Gunners Town for the entire upcoming project. Azerbaijan. The Land of Fire. Inside the Baku Olympic Stadium, one final match would make or break Arsenal’s season. Heralded as King of the Europa League, Unai Emery had […]
…. and the door slides open: How these 3 Arsenal players might have saved Arteta’s future…
…… and the door slides open POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES In the 14 months that Mikel Arteta has been at Arsenal he has experienced every curve of the rollercoaster that most managers would enjoy and endure in a decade. I sit here a few hours post game and I wonder if he knows that he […]